Thursday, June 21, 2012

LAGAWE, Ifugao — Members of the Ifugao Peasant Movement (IPM)
complained of military presence in their villages during a dialogue with
Governor Eugene Balitang, May 24.

Modesto Hangoy, a farmer from Gumhang, Tinoc said soldiers occupied
the public school compound. He added that soldiers removed a poster of
the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that states “all schools are
peace zones.” The soldiers also accused the farmers of using farm tools
made by New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas.

Daniel Tayaban of ACT Teachers Partylist, said that military presence
within school compounds puts the children in physical danger. Tayaban
added that soldiers court either married women or minor in Asipulo.

According to the IPM, red tagging and vilification is part of the
military’s counterinsurgency program dubbed as Oplan Bayanihan, The
group said they received reports of rights violations from different
communities of Ifugao.

Edwin Bumolyad, IPM secretary general, told the governor that
civilians, most of whom are farmers, are victims of military harassment,
threats, and intimidation..... MORE